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Animal welfare monitored Letters


Editor: We are writing to correct some information relayed in


antimicrobials that have been approved by the Veterinary Drugs Directorate of Health Canada. Antimicrobials are, and will remain,


essential tools to protect the


the article by Ronda Payne titled “FV land limitations mean higher density” in the October 2018 issue of Country Life in BC. Not only does this article inaccurately state the current and future use of antimicrobials in Canadian broiler production, but it also reflects some practices that are not consistent with Chicken Farmers of Canada’s Animal Care Program.


The BC Chicken


Marketing Board supports Chicken Farmers of Canada’s (CFC) Responsible Antimicrobial Use Strategy and the responsible use of


health and welfare of chickens and to ensure a safe food supply. The BC Chicken


Marketing Board is responsible for auditing Chicken Farmers of Canada’s (CFC) animal care program. Under this program, farmers are required to closely monitor mortality levels as part of the overall assessment of the health of the flock. This program sets out parameters for maximum mortality of a flock depending on slaughter age. If mortality exceeds


certain parameters, or if


unexplained mortality exceeds 1% in 24 hours, a veterinarian must be notified. A veterinarian should


provide diagnosis and a treatment recommendation. If there is no reasonable prospect for recovery, farmers are required to perform euthanasia to alleviate pain and suffering. Farmers must be trained in appropriate euthanasia techniques to reduce fear, pain and distress. The BC Chicken


Marketing Board is committed to the effective delivery of Chicken Farmers of Canada’s animal care program. If we become aware of


any situation that is not consistent with this program, our auditors will investigate it.


Robin Smith Chair


British Columbia Chicken Marketing Board


COUNTRY LIFE IN BC • NOVEMBER 2018


Success starts with solid business plan


by DAVID SCHMIDT


ABBOTSFORD – The first thing farmers and agri- businesses need to do when trying to obtain financing for a new project is to develop a plan.


That’s the first place the BC


Ministry of Agriculture can help, BCMA partnerships and outreach manager Lindsay Bisschop told the Fraser Valley chapter of the Canadian Association of Farm Advisors at their meeting in Abbotsford, October 16. The new BC Agri-business


Planning Program builds on the Growing Forward 2 business planning program. It provides up to $5,000 for individuals and up to $30,000 for groups to hire qualified business consultants to provide specialized business planning. This includes developing a business strategy and a financial analysis of new production or processing ventures.


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Having a well-developed plan is critical when approaching potential financiers. “If you’re trying to get others to invest, make sure you have a solid plan,” says George Stefan, Fraser Valley leader of funding incentives and SRED (Scientific Research & Experimental Development) at PWC, a major international accounting and business consulting firm. “Have your financial plans


organized. It makes a good first impression,” adds Caterina Papadakos, western Canada director of Espresso Capital. Scotiabank senior client


relationship manager Amarjit Pandhar seconds that advice, noting “the more information you provide, the quicker the process will go.” Espresso is a “venture-debt


fund” which provides $500,000 to $10 million for technology-based companies. “Our funding is like a line of


credit,” Papadakos explains. “We want to fund sustainable, growing businesses,” she says, noting subscription-based (e.g. where a customer pays for a service on a regular basis) or refundable grant (e.g. SRED) programs are easiest to fund. Scotiabank offers more


wide-ranging financing, Pandhar noting “we customize everything.”


He admits start-ups are most challenging since there is “no history,” adding working capital is another area many customers fall short on. Stefan believes “most plans


are incomplete” which is why he urges them to work with PWC or other consultants to flesh them out. “If you think you’re not getting good advice, get a second opinion,” he says. Stefan says the biggest pitfalls in preparing a business plan is that people “are not dreaming big enough,” do not involve enough people in preparing their plan and do not start early enough. He notes many grant


programs require approval of the applications before any shovels hit the ground. The agri-business planning


Don’t forget to renew your subscription!


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program is just the start of what is available, Bisschop notes. Other government programs include the BC Agri- foods Marketing Partnership Program, Buy BC and the new Canada-BC Agri-Innovation program, all delivered by Investment Agriculture Foundation of BC in conjunction with the BCMA. Bisschop says the ministry


is trying to get better at communicating what they have to offer. “We don’t want leave our money on the table.”


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